‘The Ballad of Bering Strait’ Shows Russian Band’s Journey Into Country Music

In the documentary, 'The Ballad of Bering Strait,' produced and directed by Nina Gilden Seavey, a young Russian band embarks on a two-and-a-half year coming-of-age story in America, with the dream of breaking into the country music scene. The band, Bering Strait, leave everything familiar behind in the hope of finding fame in America.

"I feel like I'm a little bit tired of waiting. I'm waiting for the day when I really start working," lead singer Natasha Borzilova says during the opening scenes of the film.

"I think we all are waiting for something big and good for us, but I will not predict anything because I am superstitious," band member Alexander "Sasha" Ostrovsky adds. "For me, the best thing is to play a big stadium with thousands of people, and they would scream and they would love my music ... That's my goal, my dream. That's what I call success."

Many questions arise as the movie progresses and the band faces the struggles that the music industry brings. Will country music fans accept that Bering Strait are from Russia? Will the band members' families continue to support them, after spending years abroad with little good news to send home? And, most importantly, can Bering Strait keep waiting until their moment of success comes?

"I want to respect myself for what I do," keyboardist and vocalist Lydia Salnikova says. "I just want to hear what I play or what I sing, and say, 'God, if that was not me, it'd probably be my favorite band.'"

Watch the full film below, courtesy of SnagFilms, to find out if Bering Strait achieve what they set out to do.